Hip-hop is a religion

Hip-hop music religious-ises itself, much the same as other popular culture, okay, maybe more.  Most mainstream hip-hop songs talk about God and religion. Rappers rap about whether God can save them and forgive them for their sins. Kanye West is a pop-culture mogul; he is one of the major players in the hip-hop industry. A few years ago, he shouted to adoring fans at a sold-out concert that he had sold his soul to the devil. Follow the link to watch: Hip-Hop Is A Religion (2 of 8) - Did KanYe sell his soul to the devil? - YouTube He released one of his biggest songs, Jesus Walks, which was played repeatedly for months in clubs and on radios around the world. The song describes Kanye’s relationship with Jesus. He pleads for help because “the devil’s trying to break [him] down”. He speaks about how he neglected his relationship with God, and how he hopes that Jesus will continue to walk with him, regardless of his lifestyle, and perhaps regardless of his apparent deals with the devil.

I drown myself in hip-hop music all day long; it’s one of the most important aspects of my life.  Many believe that to follow someone who claims to have old his soul to the devil is to follow and advocate an evil way of life. I hope this is not the case.

The video below is an example of how pop-cultural icons perceive themselves and project themselves. Kanye West mentions that there is no reason why he wouldn’t be a part of a modern day bible. “Hip-hop is a religion to a certain extent and rappers are the preachers, the music is the scriptures. It’s just like church, you go to a concert, you raise your hands in the air, you get dressed up and you definitely pay some money, it’s just like church”. Hip Hop Religion Takeover pt. 1 - YouTube

Not only do they project themselves as icons of worship (some more than others), their lyrics are embedded with constant references to God. Some are for God, some are against:

Lil Wayne's "Pray to the Lord":

“Is there a heaven for g's and soldiers? I can’t go to hell, cause I'd take over. I feel it approaching, but I aint scared. I made that bed, and I should rest in peace. Before I sleep I pray to the lord a soul to keep. And if I should die before I wake, I pray to the lord my soul to take for goodness sake.”

Jay Z's "New York":

“Hail Mary to the city, you’re a virgin and Jesus can’t save us, life starts when church ends.”  

A particularly fantastic-sounding Jay Z, Kanye West collaboration “Made it America” has a chorus which could be passed for gospel music, and features the lines: “Sweet Mother Mary, sweet Father Joseph, sweet Jesus”. The verses Jay Z raps explain how he used to make crack cocaine in his grandmother’s kitchen. I happen to love this song and at no stage do I feel that this behaviour is advocated in any way, but I worry about other people, impressionable people.

If these songs intermingle what sounds like a praising of God with a mini crack lab, I’m not sure about the message being sent. For me, it’s the music, the sound, and their talent. I attach no religious significance to it. I wonder about the millions of other people who embrace hip-hop and idolise these rappers.

This hip-hop religion debacle begs the questions, does following a specifically religious life secure one’s place in Heaven (or the like)?  Will my favourite rapper go to Heaven? Is it enough to mention God in a rap to repent for the crack cocaine issues? Will we be condemned for the music that we listen to and the cultural icons that we busy ourselves with? If anyone has the answers, please, don’t hesitate to share.

Image: source http://live.drjays.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/new_seal_TEMPLE_OF_HIP_HOP.jpg